Luciano (Apartment): Luiciano has finally had time to actually handle some more mundane meetings that needed to get done. He chose one of his safe houses, or in this case... apartments, for the meeting so that hopefully it can be a bit more relaxed.

The Apartment itself is fairly sterile, decorated well but obviously not lived in much. Dark colors dominate the room with some blue's and purples to mix up it up. There are two couches on either side of a metal framed coffee table. A comfortable but imposing chair sits at the front of the long coffee table so that it is easy to look right or left at one couch or the other. The lighting is muted and basks much of the rest of the room in shadows.

The middle aged Italian has been a middle man for the family for quiet some time, but do to recent happenings he has had to move to a more leadership role. He's chosen slacks with a gray dress shirt and a matching tie tonight. The sleeves though are rolled up some to reveal his muscled arms. By the door, a Kin Maid stands waiting for the first guest to arrive.

Francesco Giardini: He pulls up to the location and gets out, heading toward the apartment. The man is dressed to the nines, as always...Italian wool suit, charcoal grey, with vest and a red silk tie. He's got a trench coat over the whole ensemble, and he comes up to the door, knocking with a calm but strong rhythm.

Luciano (Apartment): The maid, oddly enough, is dressed in a cute little french maid uniform that was obviously picked more to please the eye then for modesty. The woman though opens the door and nods respectfully to him as she does a bit of a curtsey. "Greetings Mr Giardini, you are expected."

Francesco Giardini: "Thank you." He nods his head to the maid with a bit of a smile, and takes off his trench coat, handing it over to her. He looks over to the living room, nodding to the man as he approaches. "Good evening, sir."

Luciano (Apartment): Luciano raises and nods to him, then offers a hand to shake. "It is good to see you at last. I just wish it was sooner, or under better circumstances."

The maid takes the coat with a soft smile to him, then moves to put the coat away. The room is a touch on the warm side but not too bad actually.

Francesco Giardini: He takes the hand and gives it a strong, firm shake. Not painful, obviously...a respectful nod goes to him. "No problem at all. We cannot help the cicrumstances, after all, and I know you have been busy."

Luciano (Apartment): He gestures to either of the two couches. "I'm expecting someone else, one of the young Fullbloods but for now we can still talk and get acquainted."

Francesco Giardini: "Of course." He nods and takes a seat on one of the couches, the one closest to the chair, smothing his clothes as he does so. "How many we got in the city, anyway? I haven't gotten a real good count yet."

Luciano (Apartment): He shrugs some... "Things have been pretty hectic lately. Probably half dozen Fullbloods firmly on our side. Likely a good two dozen Kin like yourself who are good at what they do. We've lost touch with many of our Kin lately. And probably an equal number of normal Familia who don't know the full score but their on our side."

Francesco Giardini: He nods a little bit, taking this in. "Compared to how many we had before the bastardos tagged us?"

Luciano (Apartment): "Twice... three times the number." he says softl with anger tinging his voice. "There's been more then one attack as well, just none of them as obvious as the intial one." and he shrugs. "There were other things prior to that assault but we didn't put two and two together until after it was obvious what was going on."

Francesco Giardini: "Fuckers." He shakes his head, pulling a pack of cigarettes from his suit jacket and putting one in his mouth. "Any idea yet? Gotta go along with the attack on the Sept, right?"

Luciano (Apartment): "I don't think so.... I think its the Shadow Lords." he says quietly as he gets control of himself again.

The maid comes back, "Can I get you something to drink Mr. Giardini?"

Francesco Giardini: His eyes narrow to slits at mention of the Lords. ~It~ "Fuckers..." The other's anger is reflected in Frankie...not Rage-enhanced, of course, but if he could Rage...aw, man. He looks up at the maid after a couple moments, and nods. "Umm. Yeah, Gin and tonic, please."

Luciano (Apartment): The maid nods and departs to get the drink.

Francesco Giardini: A nod to the main, and he sits back, lighting his cigarette with a scowl. The thought of the Shadow Lords being involved obviously doesn't sit well with him. At all.

Luciano (Apartment): "It started slow... a few Kin went missing. Then after the attack we get hit hard. Not even the spirits will talk to us about what they saw." and he just sighs some. "And then in the week that followed it continued. Always on the edge of our opperations like they were trying to feel us out."

Francesco Giardini: He frowns a little bit. "It still going on, or does it seem to be over now?"

Luciano (Apartment): "I think it is over now, there hasn't been any problems in over two weeks now. And we've started getting some back up from Chicago and DC." he says with another sigh.

The maid comes back in, smiling sweetly to Frankie as she offers him the glass, bending at the waist with legs straight.

Francesco Giardini: A little nod, his eyes lighting up...being from D.C. himself. "Anyone I know, 'sides myself?" He takes the glass from the maid with a little grin. Can't help a brief look, before he nods his thanks and leans back, sipping at the drink.

Aine: There is a knock on the door. Standing there is a young looking woman who seems to have a mixed heritage, most obvious in her gray eyes which stand out against her shoulder length raven hair, which is worn in pigtail braids and makes her look as if she might be Native American. She wears cammo gear that is easily accessible to her, down to black jump boots. There is definitely a matureness that seems to radiate off her as well. ((http://obsidianroses.com/aine.gif))

Luciano (Apartment): "Um, Not sure. Maybe, just some low level muscle mostly." he says with a bit of a shrug.

The maid flashes him a smile and moves to stand by Lusicano's chair to await further requests.

Francesco Giardini: "All right." He looks over at the door as a knock sounds, then back. Must be the Fullblood.

Luciano (Apartment): And the maid quickly moves to the door, opening it with a slight nod to her. "Good to see you again. I'll get your usual." and goes to fetch it once Aine is inside.

Aine: She nods to her, and heads on inside, coughing at the cigarette smoke in the air. ((Unless there is some kind of device that clears the air, then diregard that.))

Francesco Giardini: An eyebrow goes up as he looks to Aine, then glances back to Luciano.

Luciano (Apartment): Luciano stands up, "I'll let you handle Introductions." he says with a smile to Aine and then sits back down. There is something paternal about how he looks at the woman for a moment.

Francesco Giardini: He rises to his feet, turning to regard Aine, smiling politely.

Aine: ((Is he smoking the cigarette at the moment? or was it already extinguished?))

Francesco Giardini: ((It's still smoking at this point...but in the ashtray.))

Aine: "Sir...." her eyes move toward the ashtray. "Could you please put that out?"

Luciano (Apartment): The maid comes back in, offering Aine what looks like a coke, with two cherries in it. She lowers her eyes demurely before she returns over to Luciano's side.

Francesco Giardini: His lips press into a line, but he smiles and nods. "Of course...sorry." He reaches over and stubs the cigarette out, then straightens back up. Waiting for an introduction.

Aine: Aine takes the drink, "Thank you."

Aine: Switching it to her left hand, she offers her hand. "I'm Aine O'Mailly, Razor's edge and new moon of the Glass and Steel."

Aine: ((And a thank you to him for putting the cigarette out too. Typed too fast.))

Luciano (Apartment): Luciano remains seated as he watches the two of them increadibly closely for some reason.

Francesco Giardini: A nod, and he takes the hand, tilting it so her hand is knuckles up, and lowers his head in a low nod. "Francesco Giardini. Nice to meet you."

Aine: "Nice to meet you, Francesco."

Francesco Giardini: A little smile as he straightens back out, and he releases her hand, before moving to sit.

Aine: She switches the glass back to her right hand and takes a seat near Luciano. Once seated she sips from her drink.

Luciano (Apartment): "I was just filling him in on our situation here, and our recent new additions of late. I thought though that the two of you should meet."

Aine: "It is probably good to know who is still left here in the city," she nods to him.

Francesco Giardini: "It is very much good," he nods, looking from Aine to Luciano. "Sir...is Miss O'Mailly taken a stance in our Family operations?" Just a hint of the '-ia' on the end...enough to have conceivably been missed by someone not knowledgable.

Luciano (Apartment): "Yes, she's been serving under her old Pack Alpha who was one of the first to die. All but one of her Pack was lost and the remaining member is out of town negotiating a settlement on a issue. So for now she has been dealing with the loss." he gives a bit of a nod to Aine and then back to Frankie. "She's my ward and I've been grooming her to be more active. Part of why I would like to see you working more closely with her. You are experienced and connected. She has the strength of the Blood."

Aine: Only for a moment does she let any sadness show in her eyes, but holds her chin up quite high and proud as Luciano speaks of her pack.

Francesco Giardini: A moment's consideration, a hint of shadow passing over his face, and then he nods. "Understood, sir."

Luciano (Apartment): "If you have any objections, speak now and freely Francesco." he says to him while he continues to watch the man.

The maid continues to stand impassively at the side of Luciano, hands clasped behind her back calmly.

Francesco Giardini: A pause. "Sir, with all due respect...and this is nothing against you, Aine," he assures her, before looking back. "And I understand that we have lowered numbers. I just find myself...unused to the idea of a non-Italian and a woman taking an active role within La Familia."

Aine: She sips more of the drink, watching Francesco, then looks back to Luciano for a moment before back to the Italian.

Luciano (Apartment) -> Francesco Giardini: (Sure thing, Got a good while tonight so take your time :) ) We can just pause it till you get back)

Francesco Giardini -> Luciano (Apartment): ((Assuming that was meant for Aine? *S*))

Luciano (Apartment) -> Francesco Giardini: (doh! Sorry, other Raven messaged me about going to dinner :) sorry about that)

Francesco Giardini -> Luciano (Apartment): ((Gotcha.))

Luciano (Apartment): He nod some. "I understand your hesitation, but we are not in a position to turn away good people based on their gender or race. Besides, who would expect a girl like her to be one of us?" he says rather calmly. We have to learn to Adapt or we will die to the last man."

Aine: She was about to say something, but good thing Luciano did instead, and she gives a dark look to Luciano before then smiling back to Luciano.

Francesco Giardini: He frowns, considering...it's not sitting well with him. A lifetime of having a certain code being browbeat is hard to just abandon with a few words...he nods. "I understand, sir. It's...not something that'll come easy to me. But I'll do my best to adapt."

Luciano (Apartment): "Thank you for at least trying. The path of the Family and the Garou are on parallel courses. She certainly will not gain much athuroty in the Familia but among the Garou? It is a different matter."

Francesco Giardini: A brief nod to that, and he relaxes, the matter resolved in his mind. "Understood." He looks at Aine and smiles again, more sincere this time. "Like I said, nothin' personal. I'm sure you're damn good at what you do."

Aine: She folds her arms across her chest, watching the kin's reaction. Obviously not happy still with his feelings about her being female...the Italian part doesn't seem to bother her. "Yeah, nothing personal huh?" she huffs.

Francesco Giardini: He frowns a little, not really getting it at all. A look back at Luciano, then to Aine. "I say somethin' wrong?"

Aine: "Yes. You don't like women. You're a male chauvenist pig."

Luciano (Apartment): He shrugs some with a hint of a smile. "Aine's got a strong head and a thicker skull. But she'll be the first to kick you in the balls for putting down her gender." and he looks to Aine. "Isn't that right?" he asks to her.

Aine: "Damn right I will." and to make the point, kicks the toe of her jump boot into the floor.

Francesco Giardini: "Whoa, whoa." He holds his hands up. A bit more of his accent slips in as he moves to defend himself. "I didn't say that. I have nothin' against women, Aine. I ain't got nothin' but respect for your gender. I'm only talkin' about La Familia. We're about tradition. And one of those traditions, is that Italian men are part of the Family, and no one else. I don't bregudge a woman the right to do whatever she wants, long as God and Gaia are cool with it. But a made woman...ain't never been one, and not because women can't do nothin'. It's just 'cause that's the way it is. You wanna go fight a war, you feel free. I ain't got no doubt that you could beat someone down a hell of a lot quicker then me. It's an honor code, and that code don't get broken easily. That's all I'm sayin'."

POSTS LOST

Francesco Giardini: He nods. "Met her after Church. Nice woman. Cute kid. I'll see what I can find." He looks to Luciano. "I haven't yet imported my crew up here...wasn't sure if you had locals you wanted me to work with. Should I...to get operations going?"

Luciano (Apartment): "It would be good to get up to speek quickly." he says with a nod. "You two should exchange numbers and such." he says after a moment. Then looks back to Frankcesco. "Any personal plans or projects?"

Francesco Giardini: "At this point, I'm still settlin' in," he says with a shrug. "Way I hear, we're big in the Upper East Side, Garmet District, and some of Little Italy. I was figuring on carving out myself a spot, start movin' some stuff, set up a business or two. Should I still consider myself caporegime?" Not making any assumptions, this one.

Luciano (Apartment): The maid places a hand on Francesco's shoulder gently and nods to the man briefly before giving a soft smile over to Francesco and then a nod to Aine. She then leaves the room once Francesco a acknowledges her look.

He nods some towards Frankie. "Yes, that is just fine. It will work well too. Consider it so approved." and he nods about something.

Aine: Aine uncrosses her arms, and sips from her drink which is more or less now watered down and not minding it much.

Francesco Giardini: "All right." He nods. "Then, I think I got my agenda. What all do we know about the Fuckin' Lords so far?"

Luciano (Apartment): "Their numbers are growing, and focused on the Dark Elements Pack." he says with a bit of a shrug. "They did some work for the Cerberus Sept in San Francisco that I heard about, nothing overly useful just yet but I'm making inquires. They've numerous Kin though working the city and have been so for months before the true Pack arrived."

Francesco Giardini: "Fuckin' beautiful. I know Craven and his woman Andrea...any other names?"

Aine: "You always curse like that?" she says, raising her eyebrows.

Francesco Giardini: "When the Shadow Lords are involved? Usually." He nods a little, smirking. "We're behind closed doors. There's civility in public. We're among Family right now...if Luciano or you've got a problem with it, I figure you'll tell me."

Luciano (Apartment): ((Need to head home, pause till I get back?))

Aine: "I see. Just don't ever call me a cunt and you'll be fine,' she snorts with a bit of a true warning in her words.

Aine: ((sure :) that's fine with me ))

Francesco Giardini: He looks almost offended at the notion he would. "Never." ((Works for me.))

Aine: "Then at least we'll be fine on the cursing." And that appears good enough for her.

Francesco Giardini: ((Pauses here for now))

Francesco Giardini: "Good deal." He nods to Aine and then looks to Luciano about his question.

Luciano: "The three I know for sure is their Alpha Craven, a potent Theurge, Kesley his Beta... a skilled ragabash scout. And then Katana the young Ahroun of the Pack who is their most recent member before coming to New York. They have to replace numbers that were lost in San Francisco it seems."

Francesco Giardini: He nods, commiting the names to memory. "Got it. I'll keep on the lookout...see what I can learn from Miss Angotti."

Luciano: "Just becareful she does not turn the situation against us." he says after a moments thought.

Francesco Giardini: "Not a problem," is all he says.

Luciano: "So, Aine... got anything to add?"

Aine: "Not really. I think you summed it up pretty well."

Luciano: "Good, the last thing is the Fullbloods will be taking more care of the Kin to make sure they remain safe. We need to protect our flanks right now so don't feel too bad if Aine checks up on you from time to time."

Francesco Giardini: He nods a little bit on that. "All right. I'll try not to be too dead for when she shows." A little grin.

Luciano: "Good good." he says and stands up. "Please do stay in touch. I'm needed elsewhere but I do wish you a good evening."

Aine: She doesn't seem to find it funny, and takes a cheery from her drink, pulling it hard off the stem.

Francesco Giardini: "Of course, sir." He rises when Luciano does, extending a hand. "Good to finally meet you. I'll talk to you soon."

Aine: "I think I'll be going now too." she hurries to get up.

Luciano: He returns the shake firmly and nods to him. "Good night to you too Aine."

Francesco Giardini: "All right, Aine." The hand is turned to her. "Good to meet you, too."

Aine: She gives a humph to Francesco and leaves the room quickly, taking the glass to the kichen first before actually leaving.

Aine: (DLP)

Aine: She shakes his hand. "Good night."

Francesco Giardini: A nod to her and a smile...the handshake is a little more of a real one, this time, less dainty, though not the full shake. He nods to her and moves to go once Luciano's left.

Aine: Then she takes the glass to the kitchen before leaving.

Luciano: Luciano makes his way out of the room in the direction the maid went.

Francesco Giardini: ((Thanks for the scene, guys.))

Luciano: ((It was fun :) ))